Rensselaer Gazette, Volume 3, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 September 1859 — Page 2

chise to be bo guarded that it can be neither periled nor perverted, then let them say, in their Constitution, definitely how lons a residence in a corporation entitles an individual to the right of voting. All. without distinction of party, would say that the period should be long enough, at least, for some of his fellow-citizens to be acquainted with his local habitation and name. Such a constitutional provision would effectually guard the ballot-box and arrest evils, whose demoralizing effects every good citizen, without respect to party, must deplore. We have never been able to perceive either the wisdom, justice or democinev of disfranchising a citizen, so far as to render him ineligible to certain pffir.es, even i th“ people wish him to fill it, after the eyoirati-*n of one term or more of service. Why should the community be deprived o' the benefit of the knowledge and experience of any citizen because he had served the public a given number of years in some particular (Official capacity ! -The absurdity of the exclusion is bo m nifest and the injustice is so gross, that '.we hope all traces of such disfranchisement will disappear from our revised Constitution; There are divers other portions of otir present Constitution that need revising—some by supplementary actions, and others by more full and explicit provisions. Some (require expansion, specific and definite, others demand stern and rigid limitation. It jeould be improved, in important par iculars, by slight omissions, verbal supplements and the incorporation of a few original powers, (evidently overlooked in former revision, the want of which has so often greatly embarrassed legislation, and brought judicial and (legislative opinions in conflict. Leaving the consideration of *ll others to those more (Conversant with their particular infelicities, we shall confine our remarks, in a subsequent article, to the Educational features of the present Constitution, and suggest some •amendments that would render that article of our Fundamental Law more definite, effective and mandatory. One or the People.

THE RENSSELAER GAZETTE. fc i RENSSELAER, IND. . i ~r, ’ WUDNB9DAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1859.

REPUBLICAN COUNTY TICKET.

j j CLERK, D. I. JACKSON. KECOHDER, C. W. HENKLE. AUDITOR, B. T. HALSTEAD. COMMISSIONERS, ist District—s. McCullough. 2d District—R. BENJAMIN. \ i The Jasper County Fair will he hHd on the 27th, 28th and 29th of tljii* month. j Friend YVigmore, the clever watch maker, has Iplact <1 us under obligations for a fine watch-guard. f . | Friend John E. Corner will please accept our thanks for some large cabbages and a water-rmdlon. I . —i *** (Captain Lamson started for Westville v* rilay moiling. to pur. hase ll|ilih«T to fence the Fair gi- lilltls \%jith. i } W’i od wntited at tht- olfio* immediately. Those who have promi-ed j ft' on subscription will pit art* take abtice. msm {All etockbolder* in Jasper C<»un tjj Agricultural Society, who de-ire Id pay their stock in work, are notified to be on the Fair grounds, (naif a mile down the river, on the north aide,) next Friday morning. I The stolen horses that were left ih the possession of Mr. A. S. Warrin, of Brook, last year, were sold by the Sheriff ait the Court House door last Monday. The bay brought $lB, and the rone s4l. 1 »■» Friend Rowen has open a grocery ar.d provision store at his old •lothing stand, and also keeps horse fe|ed, &c. Read his advertisement in another column, and then patronize hint, for he deserves it. ~ — | Purcupiie & Downing, well known eittzens of Rensselaer, have again opened a store at this place. They •*y in their advertisement' in this paper that they will sell cheaper than any other house in town. Ws yesterday called at the shoeshop of friend jVfcSheehy, and found that he had a very large stock of boots and on hand, made up during the slacks times of the past Jammer. He informed us that he iafentls, fr»«n this on, to sell cheaper than ever, and that those who patronize him will be astonished at his low figures.

SWAMP LAND FRAUDS.

We copy in another column, from the Indianapolis “Atlas,” an article on the Swamp Land Frauds in the State of Indiana, containing important extracts from the report of the joint committee of the last Legislature. It appears from the extracts quoted that the Swamp Land frauds in Jasper county attracted a large share of the attention of the committee, and it would be of great importance to the people of this coun ty to see the report for themselves; but, unfortunately and unaccountably, th< a report ha- not yet been sent to our Clerk's office, as it should have been. Where the blame rests we cajinot tell, but hope that our R»-p resentative, Mr. Snyder, will remedy the evil by procuring the report, and we will then lay before the public all that it contains concerning Jasper county.

AMERICAN HOUSE,

Ia the name of a new hotel just opened in this place by our fellowtownsman, Mr. George Veatch. It is the large building on the corner west of the public square, which has been fitted up with neatness and taste for the accommodation of the, public. Mr. Veatch will undoubtedly make an obliging landlord. We have received a communication from “A Hoosier,” which is bo funny; And irresistably ludicrous, (although'at the expense of the editor of this paper,) that we. and those to whom we read it, have laughed until the tears rolled down our cheeks; but as a portion of the language is not the moat chaste in the world, we are compelled to decline its publication.

[For the Rensselaer Gazette

BLINDNESS OF LAFAYETTE.

Mr. Editor: I see in the last “Ga i zette” that you have noticed a rumor that, you say, came from a gentle-; man horn Lafayette, that there was! a company formed in that place for j the purpose of constructing a railroad from there to Chicago, and that the wealthy citizens of Lafayette had subscribed a large amount of stock; also, that the Lalayette and Indian apolis, ami the Cincinnati and Indianapolis Railroads, had had taken $100,090 each. Now, I do not know who the man was that you refer to, or what reasons he had for making such state ments; but 1 have not the slightest doubt that the thing is entirely with out foundation not but what 1 look upon the project as feasible, and one that will be eventually completed lint the wealthy citizens of Lafayette have ne\er been very great ft finds to railroads, and those that they have, except the fir-t, have been more pushed upon them than taken there by their own exertions. They seetn to think that every road that touches them is only opening an artery to bleed them, instead of building them up and giving them strength; and, to prove this, they will refer you to the time when they had no railroads as they days of their greatest prosperity. And true enough it was, but it was at the expense of the surrounding country We then had to haul our goods and groceries from Lafayette or some other point on the Wabash river—thanks to the friendly aid of railroads. that bring them nearer to our hands. They tell us a railroad from Lafayette to Chicago will detract greatly from the former in favor of the latter. But how this can be we cannot see; they surely would receive more trade along the fine of the proposed road than they do now, and would lose none. The advantages are obvious. They would retain to their railroad and town the travel from Cincinnati to Chicago, which they cannot without it. But should the company spoken of, or the citizens ol Lafayette or Chicago, find it to tin ir interests to construct this road-, they will find the citizens along the line in Jasper and Lake counties ready tc to their part, and we understond that an arrangement can be made to run into ' Chioago on another track, thereby

cutting ofT the greatest proportion of the entire expense.

More anon.

FRAUDS IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION.

Mr. Editor: There are rumors afloat that there was fraud and unfairness used in the Nominating Convention of the Republicans of the 11th of August last, which rumors I gave at first no credence, until the testimony became overwhelming, and I am now reluctantly forced to believe are true. In Barkley township, I am credibly informed there was one vote cast for Mr. Moore for the office of Clerk, by as respectable a Republican citizen as that township can produce, and that said vote for that office was not counted. Whether this was done through fraud or mistake remains to be answered or proven; but, from the web of circumstances, I am inclined to think it of fraudulent intent. Why did the Convention open in Rensselaer at eight o’clock in the morning, when the programme gotten up by the Central Committee directed that the Republican voters of each township meet at one o’clock P. M. of said day, and organize by choosing an Inspector, Judges and Clerk! By this change a respectable portion of the working committes of Republican Voters of Mitownship were deprived a voice in organizing the Board, to which they had a right and wanted to exercise, but were prevented, not from neglect of being there in time, according to the published arrangement, but on account of the arrogance of a few designing politicians of Rensselaer. Now, Mr. Editor, will you or some of the knowing ones be so kind as to inform us how it happened that Marion township polled 143 votes, when there can be twenty prominent Repu lican voters counted in one neighborhood who were not at the Convention! and why does Marion township poll so many more this year than it did last! What made it so interesting to the five voters of Keener township as to induce them to meet on the Tuesday before the day set! Why did certain leading Republicans ofj Rensselaer profess to honest unsuspecting Republicans of the country that the prevailing opinion about town was in favor of country candidates, that they might avoid the cry from the other party, of Rensselaer clique! If these rumors are true, they should, and I think will, meet the condemna'ion of every honest and irue Republican. It is a yer3' unpleasant task for me to speak thus plain, but a conviction and sense of duty impel! me to it. I have acted with the Republican party ever since its organization, and always expect so to do so long as it retains its original purity; but will retain the right to speak and work against fraud, let me find it where I may. Thos. Thornburg. reply. Friend Thornburg : Although editors do not know everything any more than other people, I shall give you a candid answer to your questions, so far as it lies in my power. I regret the existence of th ■ rumors, and believe that I can demonstrate to your satisfaction that they are nothing but rumors. I also regret the harsh terms you* use when speaking of transactions in which honorable men were concerned, and, no doubt, you will regret it as much as any one on taking a second thought. But to the point. 1. You say that Mr. Moore received one J vote in Barkley township for Clerk, which! was not counted to him, and you believe! that this occurred through fraud. Let us | see who composed the Election Board in; Barkley township. They were—lnspector, Wm. K Parkison; Judge, John MeCurtain; Clerk, A. Shepard. If there was fraud in the Barkley vote, these men perpetrated it. In a conversation on this subject with Wm. K. Parkison yesterday, he stated that he read all the tickets, and that Mr. Moore’s name did not occur on one of them. He also stated that he believed all the voters, twenty-five in number, were on the ground when the vote was counted out, and no one seemed dissatisfied with the result. Now, do you think for one moment that either .Mr. Parkison, Mr. McCurtain or Mr. Shepard was capable of committing the fraud you speak of! Of course you don’t, so that rumor is at rest. 2. You ask wliy the polls were opened at eight o’clock in the morning at P*,eusselaer. The answer is, that the po’ils were opened that early for the accommodation of some who desired to leave town in the forenoon. There was no harm in this. The Board was composed of Ezra Wright os Inspector, J. Thompson us Judge, and your humble servant as Clerk. Whatever may be your opinion of me, you certainly cannot believe that Ezra Wright and John Thompson were “arrogant, designing politicians,” committing fraud on the voters of Marion town ship. But what is the hardest to bear of all is this: I voted for Mr. Moore in C nvention. and you now come forward as his friend an intimate that I, with others, resorted to fraud to defeat him. This is the unkindest cut of all. 3. Vuu next ask how it happened that Rensselaer polled 143 votes, when iwenty Republican voters in one neighborhood were net at the polls. This is very cosily on

swered by reading below the list of names who did vote. It will be seen that seventeen of them (marked with a *) are not residents of Marion township. They were in town on that day, and desired to vote aa a matter of convenience to themselves, which would save them the trouble and time of going to their own voting-places. They were allowed to vote, as you or any other respectable Republican would be under like circumstances. After taking out these seventeen non-residents, we have 126 votes left. Is this an extraordinary large number out of about 190 Republican voters in Marion township! You can well say that twenty Republicans staid at home on that day, and add forty more to that, and there would still be a few more left. But read the list of names carefully, and if you find one who did not vote, I will join hands with you in exposing corruption and fraud, and waver not until we have dug the political graves of the “Rensselaer clique.” 4. You then want to know why Keener township voted two days before the appointed time. The reason given then, and I have heard no other since, was this: The Republicans of that township are good Methodists, and as they were all going to the camp-meeting at Brook on Thursday. they met together on Tuesday and expressed their choice. There was no harm, then, in anticipating the election by two days. Besides, if they are satisfied, we ought to be. 5. You next ask why leading Republicans about town professed to be in favor of country candidates. If this was so, the vote only proves that the masses of the Republicans do not do as their “leaders” tell them. A very good trait. 5.- In conclusion, you say that you, “will retain the right to speak and work against fraud,” find it where you may. This is a noble sentiment, and worthy the approval and example of all. But all should be certain that public rumors are true before charging fraud, least injustice be done to innocent persons. Before concluding, I would say that if the vote of Marion township were to be thrown out entirely, it would not affect the ticket nominated. The same persons that received a majority in town also received a majority in the country. Yours with respect, D. F. Davies.

VERIRAS.

LIST OF VOTERS IN MARION TOWNSHIP. 1 R. G. Howe, 72 Geo. Grizzle,* 2C. H. Downing, 73 F. A Downing,* 3 Wm. Grunt, 74 John Adamson’, 4 E. I’. Harding, 75 Alfred McCoy, 5 L. A. Cole, 76 W. J. Wr ght, 6 Henry Thompson, 77 W. J. Lißue, 7 A. Purcupiie, 78 Wm. S. Hopkins, 8 I. D. Barkley* 79 B. R Moffitt, 9 Thos. J. Irwin, 80 G. P. McCullough, 10 Lewis Gowdy* 81 Aaron Greenfield, 11 Alvin Sherwood, 82 Reson Cas’o,* 12 Hamilton Sympsonß3 H. V. Weeks, 13 Job English,* 84 F. M. Grant, 14 Theodore Hurley,*Bs W. S. Grant, 15 G. B.' Wok, 86 John B. Warner, 16 W. W. Wishard, 87 W. S. Bedford, 17 Jno. Thompson, sr.BB David Carr, 18 B. F. Downing, 89 G. W. Terhune, 19 D. C. Walker, 90 Wm. Greenfield, 20 Levi Bridgeman,* 91 D. C. Hopkins, 21 Dun’l Dwiggins, 92 Norman Warner, 22 C. W. Henkle, 93 John Karsner, 23 C. B. Mock, 94 J *sse Greenfield, 24 W. D. Lee, 95 John W. Warner, 25 R. H. Miboy, 96 Richard Anderson, 26 Johna. Sherman, 97 P. R. Israel, 27 Henry Sparling, 98 A. F. Israel, 28 Win. Yeoman, 99 E. W. Israel, 29 Jas. Ziinnierinen, 100 R. S. Dwiggins, 30 Sturns liiff, 101 J. D. HopkTns, 3 I Sam*l Brandon,* 102 C. C. Thornton, 32 Hiram Wyatt, 103 Pliineas Thornton 33 M. C. Mead, 104 Stephen Wilson. 34 Alex. Rowen, 105 Michael Isra“l,* 35 Nathan Babcock, 106 John A. Kenton. 63 Samuel Moore, 107 Geo. W. Burk, 37 R. J. Hopkins, 108 Jos. V. Tatman, 38 C. C. Hopkins, 109 S. C. Hammond, 39 Thos. Burrowes, 110 Martin Dobbins, 40 Joseph Bice.sr., 11l Jehu Burt, 41 Wm. Shortridge, 112 Simon Alter, 42 Thos. O’Brien, 113 Marshall Grant, 43 Ezra Wright, 114 Ward Anderson, 44 Jno. Thompson, jr.115 David Hoilman, 45 D. F. Davies, 116 Darius Read, 46 Moses Alter, 117 Win. M. Tatman, 47 I. N. S. Alter, 118 Joseph Knowls,* 48 C. iV. Watson, 119 1). I. Jackson, 49 W. W. Bickford, 120 Wm. Best, 50 Wm. J. Norris, 121 Augustus Fritz, 51 Wm. Davies, 122 R. C. Pierce, 52 Win. Liman, 123 Ezekiel 53 Chas. Burrowes, 124 Jas. VV Waite* 54 O. Weeks, lzs • vVm c Pierc< ; ( 55 Barnett Davwitt, *|26 T. A. Knox, 56 P. H. Massey, 127 Thos. S. Peucoc , 57 J. S. Cox, 128 D. T. Halstead, 5? S-m’l Orcutt, 129 Henry Henkle,* 59 N. W. Hopkins, 130 John Wtiite, 60 H C. Bruce, 131 John Warren, 61 Archibald Bryson, 132 Hugh Coen, 62 Simon Phillips, 133 John Coen, 63 N. W. Bunnell,* 134 James Hoilman, 64 Ephraim Street,* 135 George Veutch, 65 George Taylor,* 136 G. A. Moss, 66 W. H. Martin, 137 C. M. Hopkins, 67 Alfred Thompson, 138 Ellis Wuiton, 68 J. W. Laßue, 139 Calvin Lntidon, 69 John Murphy, 140 Win. G. Cook, 70 Wm. Freeman, 141 Win. Webster,* 71 D. C. Stackhouse, 142 Jno. A. Wilson, 143 Samuel Brunson. (jC7”There will be a meet of the McClure Library Association, at the Library-room, next Saturday night. Important business is to be transacted. J. D. Hotkins, President. I. M. Stackhouse, Secretary. call attention to the advertisement of the oEina Insurance Company, in another column. This company has the reputation of being the most prompt and reliable in the United State*.

The Swamp Land Funt.

The management of the affairs of the State has been in the Democratic party ever since the National Government ceded to the States the swamp lands within tehir limits, and of course it is responsible for the proper disposition of the amount to which Indiana was entitled. Under the provisions of that act, our State was entitled to 1,252,038 acres. Some of these lands were very valuable, so that it would be safe to say that, after paving the expenses of draining, they ought to have been worth one dollar per acre. If so we ought now to have a fund from this source amounting to one million and a quarter of dollars. Where is it? Can any one tell? At the last session of the Legislature a joint committee was appointed to examine into these funds. The report of the committee has but recently been published and distributed with the laws, so that it may be found at every Clerk’s Office in the State. The report, and the evidence taken by the Committee, make sixty-three pages; altogether too much to be copied into a news- ■ paper. At present we can only make a few extracts from it, but shall refer to it again: “By the law of 1852 it. was made the duty of the Governor to appoint Swamp Land Commissioners in every county owning Swamp Lands. In many instances these appointments were singularlly unfortunate, possessing neither qualification nor honesty of such a character as to fit them for their responsibilities. “We have had our attention culled to the official misconduct of these officers in several counties, but have found it utterly impossible to give the subject that, investigation which the interest of the State and justice demand. In the county of Jasper our investigation has satisfied us that the officers of that county have not only aided others in the commission of great frauds upon the Swamp Land Funds, but have also been participants in the profits rising therefrom. In this charge we make no reference to the present treasurer and auditor of this county. “The commissioner, at the letting of a large u-< otint. ot ditching under the law o; 1852, let utmost the entire work to one man lor t e sum of 20 cents the cubic yard, although at tfiis letting there were guod and responsible bids tor the same work at It cents the cubic yard, and une as low as ten cents. The ditching contracted for at this letting has never been finished accor ling to the plans and specific tioiis, and some ot the ditches are worthless. The entire estimates o' this work, amounting to $39,45 1.59, have been paid to the contractor. According to the testimony before us, this one transaction lias resulted in gre .t loss to the Swamp I,and Fund, and loss to tiie value o; real estate in the vicinity ol the work.” *** ********* “The Swamp Land act, .approved March 5, 1857, required that these fraudulent conveyances should be returned and canceled, a hen the work was not completed, but provided that the loose contracts upon which they had been obtained might be ratified and confirmed by the Swamp Lmd Commissioner, and provided that the contractors might file with the county auditor lists of lands selected by them to be talc at iii payment for ditching, and the sale 01 these selected lands was then prohibited by the county officers till the completion or perfecting ol t ie contract, for the payment of which they were filed, and that seventy-five per cent, upon the estimates of the work done should be issued to the contractor until all was done, when certificates for the whole should be issued; and provided further that the contractor might at any time, by depositing $1,25 per acre with the county treasurer for the whole or any part ot the lands in his list, take out certificates and procure patents for the same, and tiiat the money so paid into the county treasury should be then retained, •to be repaid to the contractor at the rate 01 seventy-five per cent, upon estimate of work done, until the cunt ract was completed, when all should be repaid Under this law the Swamp Land Commissioner of Jasper county confirmed all the old contract, at twenty cents per cubic yard, which had been originally let at Irom twelve to eighteen cents per cubic yard, and the contractors were permitted to file lists of lands to any amount they desired, and the amounts of their respective contracts were swelled up to cover the amount filed lor, anti in a short time after the taking effect of this law, all the) unsold Swamp Lands ol Jasper county, j amounting to about one hundred and seven-ty-five thousand acres, were then absorbed,! and nearly all the Conti t .i. rs, wiiliout paying any money into the canny treasury, by ! private arrangements with J .cob Mo kle, the treasurer of J ,<sper county, obtained irmn I him certificates ol purchase, and upon these i obtained a greater part ol their patents lor! these lands. From estimates of the whole 1 amount of these coi Had, and ot the amount ol work done upon the same at the expiration 01 the term o 'lie said M rkie’s term of office, he should have paid over to his sue- | cessor in office at least one hundred thou- * sand dollars of money, deposited with him j by contractor ol lands oh timed by them, hut not one cent was so paid over to him. The lands being gone and there being no moneys for the same on deposit in the county treasury, and consequently no incentive to I the completion ot the contracts, and their being no law to enforce their completion, your committee would recommend ilia some law be passed to remedy this defect.” Notwi hstanding llns iminiticciii Inn.l,more than sufficient to educate thousands of the children of the State, has thus been squandered by those to'whom it was entrusted, they »sk to be retained in power. If peopl would only look into these m; tters, uninfluenced by mere partisan c >nsiderations, they would no longer Irust 'hose who have thus grossly abused their confidence. The truth is, and it is every day becoming more and more apparent, that the Democratic party has been in power so long that it has become extravagant, and toTupt, and needs to be purified by an uprising of people, such as swept a similar adminis’ra’ion from power in 1840. — Ind. Daily Atlas. OirP- Yousey has been on trial for horse stealing in Kentucky. One part of the evidence was a piece of his finger. Just befo.e he stole the horse, his finger was taken off by the knife of a cutting-box, and a Mr. Young got possession, and has kept it tor more than a year. At the trial Young produced the piece ot finger, and it fitted exactly.

[Corre»ponde 11 1 of the S*u Francisco Times.

The Invasion of San Juan Island

Victoria, V 1., Aug. 7, 1859. You are perhans aware before this that while you have been absorbed in political controversies at home, or watching the events of the great world in the far East, war, with all its attendant evils, has been threatening us here in the distant North. Some weeks ago, came to this port, on the United States steamer Massachusetts, General Harney. His arrival was acknowledged by a salute, and after a day’s sojourn as the guest of Governor Douglas, he “passed by on the other side.” A few days alter the General’s departure for Puget's Sound, our town was thrown into the greatest excitement by the news that a company of American troops had taken possession of the disputed island of San Juan, and that barracks were being established upon it. No one knew by whom the act was authorized, and especially did certain chivalrous Americans, with fillibustering proclivities, seem not to care. Then commenced blustering and bloviating on both sides; the American population waxed rampant, as usual on such occasions, and the British indignant. Numerous lively discussions sprung up among groups of citizens at the street corners, and a considerable quantity of the King’s English was demolished on both sides. Very soon vessels for the conveyance of passengers were in demand. Small boats were chartered for the trip, and several steamboats departed wilh visitors, both American and English, to the island of San Juan, a distance of fifteen or twenty miles from this place. Two of the English vessels of war from Esquimault harbor had gone over on the first reception ot the news. Most of those who went to the island did so, perhaps, through curiosity; but others, no doubt, went determined to lend a hand to their respective countries, if their services were needed. In the harbor of San Juan were found, beside several British men-o-war, the United States ships Massachusetts, Shubrick, and a revenue cutter from Puget’s Sound A company of American soldiers, to the number of forty or fifty had taken possession ol the island, and quite boldly indicated their intentions to keep it, as will be seen by the following order, which was posted in various places about the island: “Military Post. San Juan •Older No 1] VV. I’., July 27, VJ \ “1 In compliance with order , and insir> ctions iron) the GeiiiT.il Oo.nm.in*ling, a Military Post will he established on this* Isl iml, mi whatever site 1 lie Commanding OiH er may elect e. Atl tlie inil ibitauts of the Is and are re piested to rep irt at once to the Corn--111 aiding Officer, in case-.l any incursion of the Northern Indians—so that he may take such Steps as he may d ein necessary to prevent any future occurrence of Ihe same. “3. Tills being Un,ted St it *s Territory, no laws other than those of the United' States, nor Courts, except su h c.s are held by virtue ot said lavt, will he recognized or allowed on this Island. By order of “CAPT. PICKEY. “James \V. Forsyth, 2d Lieut., 6th Infantry, Post Adjutant.” It will he observed from the tone of this order that it ignores the Treaty and B undary Gommissson, and admits ol no compromise; il, therefore, it proves to have had no higher authority than Gen. Harney, and anv concession is hereafter made, it will afford another evample of the reckless manner in which filibustering American citizens jeopardize the peace, and compromise the honor of their country. From the first, it appears the British desired to avoid a collision, as their ability, at-a-'y moment, to take the Island can scarcely be doubted; it was their wish to gain a. joint military occupation of the island withe our troops, until orders could be received from the heads ol the two Gov rninents. A proposition to that effect having been made, was rejected; but, it is believed, will yet be acceded to. It is unnecessary to repeat, tli.i? if such a conce sion is made, after what haspassed, it will be a dastardly compromise of the country’s honor. Affairs have rest'd in this p.ighr, wit la little change, during the past week. A small company or two from Fort Bellingham have been added to the American lurces,. ami a number of Americans have gone from, this place and Washington Territory with the avowed determination of settling at Sait Juan. A British vessel ol war brought down some sappers and miners f>-oin Fr .zer River a few days sin -e. and renewed tin* request to land their forces, hut were re used. They h d not landed at last acc-.iints. and matters remained in statu tjuo Oil Wednesday Guv. DiUgi.s issued pro est against the occupation of S.n Juan Island by the Americans and declared the island 1.1 h ■l ing to ner inij"s!y Q i -en Victoria. His Excellency also sent a message to the Vancouver L gislative Assembly yesterd y, in which h is declared that the British forces wil he landed on the island. ]i such lie their intention a collision seems inevitable. (fJ~The recent Democratic State Convention of Minnesota, held its session in secret, greatly to the disgust ol the masse*, who wished to look on. Whether they were atraiu the d fierent members would tell too many unpleasant truths of each other, for the public ear, or there were villianous schemes to be concocted, that would not bear the light, alter the manner ol the last State canvass, we cannot say. That must he regarded as a desperate case, however,; \'ltich requires such extraordinary treatment. Stole a Water-Melon— Lost Time for the Thief—Near Alton. 111., a German tailor had dare ully cultivated a fine watermelon, and one niglu last week it was to be enjoyed by some invited irieiid*. When they went a.ter the it elo lit was non est! The host was enraged, the wile sited tears and the guests all tell very sorry. The Great Melon had been sto en; and in order to gain some clue.to the perpetrator of so vile a theft, his tracks were followed to whore he crossed a lence, whore a fine ilver watch was lountj hang tig to the picket.-,! Berks county, I*a., there are two Democratic organizations, both of whtch have made county nominations. The Republicans have not nominated a ticket, and will probably support that of the Anti-Le-compton Democrats.